Queen Of Katwe (2016)

In 2007 Uganda, a young girl (Nadina Malwanga) lives in poverty with her widowed mother (Lupita Nyong'o) and three siblings. Her future looks dire until she discovers chess where she finds that she has an intuitive talent for the game. A mentor (David Oyelowo) takes her under his wing and it isn't long before she becomes competitive. Based on the true story of Phiona Mutes whose story was put in book form by Tim Crothers and adapted for the screen by William Wheeler. Directed by Mira Nair (MONSOON WEDDING), this is a joyous film! This may be a Disney film but it is never manipulative or sentimental thanks to Nair and a tight script. Everybody loves an underdog movie but the film never panders to the audience asking for cheers. This is authentic, it isn't ROCKY (not a slam against ROCKY, I loved it!). The film features an all black cast and with the exception of Oyelowo and Nyong'o, the entire cast is Ugandan. Oyelowo and Nyong'o are excellent but the film belongs to young Malwanga who had never acted before. This is a mainstream family movie at its best. With Martin Kabanza, Taryn Kyaze, Ethan Nazario Lubega and Nikia Waligwa.